Steve Jackson Games Forums - Weapon Expertise: +1 per die of damage

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Re: Weapon Expertise: +1 per die of damage

Quote:

Originally Posted by phiwum (Post 2425012)

But for that one turn, I see the following possibilities:

(1) X Attacks A. Then A Defends and B Attacks X.
(2) X Defends. Then both A and B change their options to Attack X.

(2) X's defend action is invalid, since X attacked A in (1)

Re: Weapon Expertise: +1 per die of damage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shostak (Post 2425014)

(2) X's defend action is invalid, since X attacked A in (1)

Sorry, (1) and (2) are not sequential. They are the possible final outcomes I see. Either X announces that he will Defend, so A and B can both choose (or change to) Attack, or X announces that he will Attack, so that his target will Defend and the other guy will attack X.

Think of it this way:

I would regret a Defend action if I am not Attacked (it's a wasted action). But, according to RAW, I can always change a regrettable Defend.

I would regret an Attack (usually) if I Attacked a target who Defended while there was another possible target not Defending. According to RAW, every time I choose to Attack in a two-on-one, I'm likely to regret it.

That's the asymmetry I don't like.

Re: Weapon Expertise: +1 per die of damage

Quote:

Originally Posted by phiwum (Post 2425015)

Ah! I misunderstood

Quote:

Think of it this way:

I would regret a Defend action if I am not Attacked (it's a wasted action). But, according to RAW, I can always change a regrettable Defend.

I would regret an Attack (usually) if I Attacked a target who Defended while there was another possible target not Defending. According to RAW, every time I choose to Attack in a two-on-one, I'm likely to regret it.

That's the asymmetry I don't like.

One need not find regret in attacking a figure who winds up defending, since, at the very worst, you are preventing them from attacking, and you still have a chance of inflicting harm. Defending is no guarantee against being on the receiving end of a whole lot of hurt.

But, as mentioned earlier, deferring action until a foe commits to an action is always an option; if one figure attacks (and you survive) immediately counterattack while they can't defend.

Re: Weapon Expertise: +1 per die of damage

My preference is to say that whole turn actions like Dodge and Defend are committed the moment actions start. If you're not sure if you want to Defend then say something else and switch to Defend when you know.